Rafting the Rogue River with one less Dam

After more than 2 decades of work, litigation, contemplation, bickering, arguing, crying, screaming, laughing, and talking, on October 9th, 2009 Savage Rapids Dam was cleared and the Rogue River flowed unabrupted through this area for the first time since 1921, allowing a floatilla of rafts, kayaks, drift boats, and jet boats to freely navigate through its channel. Sadly, this profound event did not go down without incident. Friday afternoon a man was killed when his jetboat crashed just downstream of the dam and Saturday an experienced river boatman wrapped his driftboat on a snag just down from the Dam. Outside of these two incidents, plenty of rafts, drift boats, and kayaks succesfully floated down this new section of the Rogue River.Photo: Jamie Lusch Mail Tribune

We are very excited to see how this channel settles in. For at least this first season the channel is expected to be in transition as years of silt and the gravel from the coffer dam settles, moves, and gets washed away. There is some great potential for this to become a fun little rapid. For more information on the Savage Rapids Dam and the other Dam removal projects on the Rogue River check out the Mail Tribune.
Here are some videos I found on youtube as well as some pictures from the Mail Tribune

2009 Wild and Scenic Enviromental Film Fest

This should be a great event up in Portland. If you are in the area you should make an appearance to learn more about and support the causes of Wild and Scenic areas like our beloved Rogue and Salmon River.
Sponsored by Patagonia, and hosted by Willamette Riverkeeper, this is the
LARGEST environmental film festival in North America. Wild & Scenic will both
inform you about the state of the world, and inspire you to create positive
change.

With multiple movies and events, two highlights will be....

Red Gold: A multiple award winning film about a controversial mine proposed at
the headwaters of the world's largest salmon fishery in Bristol Bay, Alaska. The
film tells a story of a remote, but diverse community that all share the
commonality of salmon fishing at the core of their existence.

Crossroads at the Columbia: Exploring the environmental and community-rights
issues surrounding proposals by private companies to build Liquefied Natural Gas
(LNG) terminals on Oregon's Columbia River.

when: Thursday, November 12th

where: McMenamins Bagdad Theater & Pub in Portland Oregon (37th & SE Hawthorne)
doors open at 5:30pm, films begin at 7pm

cost: tickets $8 (and also serve as your raffle entry for a chance to win an
Eddyline kayak and other prizes from Patagonia and Osprey!)

21 & over

You do not want to miss this!

www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org

Willamette Riverkeeper is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection
& restoration of the Willamette River www.willametteriverkeeper.org

A nice card just arrived

It's always great to get feedback from our rafting trips. I just received a card from a half day trip on the Rogue River last week and here were some of the nice things said about our great river guides. "Thank you so much for an awesome rafting trip! I had soo much fun! I definitely want to go next year." "Thank you for providing our students with a day they will Never forget" "Thank you for a really good time on the river. It was a blast with the big, huge, water fight and hopping raft to raft....."
I love, when in the day to day of opening e-mails or physical mail, especially in the early season, when I get to hear about how great a trip was and how much people enjoyed the time on the river.

40 years of Orange Torpedo - what has changed

Changes in OTT

I’ve been thinking lately about the changes in Orange Torpedo Trips over the last almost 40 years that I have guided. Our basic philosophy and procedures are the same as ever, but I have seen huge changes in the equipment that we use.

In 1972, our boats were the same basic design, but there were some differences. The PVC material was not as durable, and we stopped several times a day to apply temporary patches that would hopefully last until we made it to the lodge or camp. After dinner each night, we would have “patch parties” down at the beach where we made the boats seaworthy for the next day. Of course, back then there were no self-bailing boats and we had lots of fun teaching the lost art of “buddy dumping”. Valves in the boats were pop-up type valves that we secured with rubber bands. Of course the valves would pop out at the most inopportune moments.

Our old PFD’s ( life jackets ) were all orange horse-collar type design. They didn’t have much buoyancy and smelled to high heaven ! Our new PFD’s have higher flotation, are much more comfortable and include pockets to hold sunscreen, etc. In addition, guides and guests now wear different color PFD’s for easier identification.

Personal gear has changed, too. Sunscreen was not invented until the mid ‘70s. In fact, OTT field tested Johnson and Johnson Sundown, one of the early sunscreens. Prior to that time, we used large beach towels to cover the exposed legs in the boats. An early trip “flip” usually led to a lost towel and a bad case of sunburn. No present day paddler would be caught without their sunscreen.

Guests were usually attired in cotton jeans shorts, cotton shorts, and shoes and socks. In the event of rain, they were encouraged to bring a nylon jacket. In the 1980’s we made a move to rubberized wrestling warm-up tops and later on to wetsuits and splash jackets designed to keep paddlers warm. Current day paddlers usually arrive outfitted in synthetic shirts and shorts ( both to keep warm and prevent sunburn), and some type of river sandal or water shoe.

With all the changes that have evolved over the years, some things have not changed. Our well-trained guides, attention to detail, and emphasis on safety will never change. Join us and enjoy all the changes that have made OTT what it is today !

By Mike Slagle (aka OG, Great One, or Captain Skirt)

4 Reasons to Choose a Rafting Vacation

With so many vacation options available how do you even know what you're looking for. Here are 4 reasons why this summer a rafting vacation is the vacation you need.
1 . Adventure:
When was your last vacation that had true adventure. Adventure which required something of you, something you were excited to brag about. A white water rafting vacation, especially if you choose to paddle an inflatable kayak, is this kind of vacation. While we have a river craft selection allowing virtually everyone from the go getter to the sit back and relax raft rider to enjoy wild and scenic river wilderness, at the end or our rafting trips everyone leaves with a feeling of accomplishment. Leave feeling like your adventure was relaxing because it was challenging. Find your rafting vacation here

2. Family Time:
Does your normal vacation provide something unique for each family member? Was your trip to that theme park as enjoyable to you the parent as it was to your 8 year old? When you go on vacation is your teenager excited to spend time with you or do they go roam at the hotel pool? Multi-day rafting trips provide a unique solution to these common family vacation problems.
On your rafting trip you, the parent, can have the adventure of a life time paddling an inflatable kayak while your kids under 12 years old ride in an oared raft with our kid friendly guides. You're having a great, you're kids are having a great time, everyone has a unique adventure at their level, all while traveling together.
Teenagers on our trips usually paddle their own inflatable kayak giving them freedom in the day to navigate the rapids and paddle around the group. Teenagers are looking for freedom and this trip gives it to them. Over the years we have noticed that the freedom of paddling separate boats during the day brings the families together at night. Teenagers and kids look forward to playing cards or throwing the Frisbee with their parents when they hit the shore in the afternoon. We find siblings and parents sitting around laughing and enjoying time away from distractions like cell phones, text messages, Facebook and email.
Find your rafting vacation here

3. Nature, Not Tech:
In the era of text messages, blackberries, I-phones, 100 HD TV channels, and i-pods its said we consume more information in a day than people 200 years ago did in a life time. All of this technology can be a great thing, but sometimes it can also be a distraction. Teenagers constantly text messaging instead of talking to parents, parents hovering over their black berries instead of talking with their kids. Kids playing video games instead of exploring and playing outside.
In his book Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv coins the term "Nature Deficit Disorder" when he links the trend of increasing child obesity, attention deficit disorder, and depression with a lack of time spent in nature. A study done by Frances E. Kuo, PhD and Andrea Faber Taylor, PhD in 2003 linked lack of time spent playing in a "green environment" with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Their study showed how children who spent more time playing in a "green" outdoor environment consistently showed fewer symptoms of ADHD.
All of this to say, while technology is good, unplugging and spending distraction free time with your family and friends is also important. Pick a vacation that does more than get you away from work, school, and the house. Pick a vacation that gets you unplugged and distraction free allowing you and your kids to slow down and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in the U.S.
Find your rafting vacation here
4. Active:
Are you an active vacationer or a sit back and relax vacationer? Are you one type while your spouse is the other? For some sitting in the sun with a drink in their hand for hours on end is a dream vacation while for others (like me) that is a bit slow to really be enjoyable. On a great rafting vacation like the Rogue or Lower Salmon Rivers a traveler can have both. On the Lower Salmon paddle rapids all day giving your brain and your arms a good workout before relaxing in the sand and sun for a few hours with your beverage in hand at camp. Go home with a vacation you're proud of, one that wore you out but also rejuvenated and cleared your mind.
Find your rafting vacation here

Family Rafting on the Rogue River: A guides perspective

Last summer one of our guides took his family on a 3 day rafting trip down the Rogue River. The pictures were so great I asked Jason to write up something about the experience for the blog followers to read. Jason has been guiding with us for over a decade and with his wife, they have two of the best kids you could take on a river trip.

This past summer I had the opportunity to take my entire family down the Wild and Scenic Rogue River on a three day lodge trip. My wife, two kids and my in-laws decided to take the plunge and come downriver with me on an adventure of a lifetime. My wife, my 10 year old son, and my father in-law have been on trips before, but this would be a first for my 6 year old daughter and my mother in-law.

Although Orange Torpedo Trips specializes in inflatable kayaks, we always cater to the needs of everyone. Each trip is accompanied by a supply raft that is equipped to carry passengers. This is the PERFECT option for those families that have children that are not of the size or age to paddle themselves in an orange torpedo. It’s also an option for those that are a little fearful of white water and simply want to enjoy a nice float while watching the beautiful scenery. This is where my family fit in. They were all passengers on my supply raft. (I’ve been a guide with Orange Torpedo Trips for over 12 years.)

The great thing about the supply raft is that children can ride and have a GREAT time while their parents enjoy the inflatable kayaks. The raft guides are always very well trained and versed in local history as well as plant and animal life. I look at it like a “classroom on the water.” There are also times where your child can ride in a kayak with a trained guide in flat water and get some paddling lessons!

At the lodges, my children had an amazing time exploring, playing games and feeding the deer. Being a lodge trip has its advantages when it comes to children in that they can always change into nice warm clothes, sleep in a comfortable bed and be entertained by our well educated guiding staff. (Most of us are teachers in the off season.) This also gives parents a chance to relax!

Our family trip was something that we will never forget! Getting to spend time together having fun in one of the worlds most beautiful, unspoiled locations is truly priceless! Another cool thing that Orange Torpedo Trips provides, (that no other company does), is a photo memory book and DVD documenting the trip. So if you don’t want to spend time taking photographs, no worries! We take care of that for you! A couple of weeks after your trip, a nice little package arrives at your home.

Overall, my family had an AMAZING time! Those memories will last with them forever. Orange Torpedo Trips is by far the finest, safest way to enjoy a river adventure as a family. The guides are well trained and have a proven safety record. I’m not just saying this because “I” am a guide for OTT. I’m saying this as a husband and father that wants only the “best” for my family. The best is Orange Torpedo Trips!

Thanks Jason! If want to know more about our 3 day lodge trip down the Rogue River, Click Here.

Mike's favorite month to raft the Rogue River

I asked Mike, AKA "captain skirt, the great one, OG (old guy).........," to share some of his Rogue River knowledge with the blog readers. Mike decided to share about his favorite time of year to raft the Rogue River. Mike is going into his 38th year guiding for Orange Torpedo on the Rogue River, so if anyone knows what they are talking about, it's Mike.

June is my favorite month on the Rogue. Wildflowers are still in bloom, the grass on the open hillsides has yet to turn brown, and the new growth on the pines and firs lining the canyon is still a bright green. All the colors seem to be more intense, and the river itself still has that tinge of late snowmelt.

Weather can be iffy in June, but it is rare to get more than one day of rain on a trip. Sunny days are comfortable, not hot ( like August ), and even a rainy day is an adventure. Our paddling jackets and wet suits keep everyone warm, and the lodges have a special quality on those rainy nights.

Early summer water levels tend to make most rapids a little easier. Higher flows make for lots of floating instead of paddling, and shorter days on the river give us more time for side hikes and explorations that we have to bypass later in the summer. Smaller groups in June also make for more individual attention from the guides.

Come join us in June. It’s a great time of year to see the Rogue.

Thanks Mike for sharing your expertise with us. Keep checking back for more river knowledge from one of the Rogue River's most experienced guides. Now you just need to learn more about how you sign up to run the Rogue River with Orange Torpedo Trips

Rogue River Jetboating

Here is a video someone sent me of some guys who ran their jet boats up the Rogue River from Foster Bar to above Rainie Falls. I'm glad they can only do it in the high water of winter and while I have concerns about jet boats simply being on this part of the canyon, there is no denying it's pretty cool to watch.

Whitewater rafting videos

I love looking back at videos we have made in the past. Its always fun to remember adventures you have been on, laugh about something you haven't thought about in a while, or just remember a time of year you're looking forward to again. Well looking back I found some Orange Torpedo videos worth highlighting. The first two we made 3 or 4 years ago and are still great videos for talking about who we are and what we do.

Here is the into video, if you want to know about Orange Torpedo Trips this is a great place to start.



Next is the video for those interested in rafting on the Rogue River, which this is our 40th year on the Rogue River and we still love it (expect a whole entry on this coming up soon). So if we have been here 40 years and still love it, just think of what you are missing if you have still never seen it.


Alright so enough of showing promo videos. They are great and good for learning, but if you just want to see what rafting the Rogue River is really like watch these next two. Every white water rafting trip on the Rogue River with Orange Torpedo Trips, we make a custom DVD and coffee table book from that trip. Customers receive the dvd and coffee table book as part of the trip, no added fee. This way when they get back they have a way to show their friends how much cooler and more adventurous their vacation was.
Here is a video a uploaded after one of the trips. Remember anytime you see someone fall out, they were picked out of the water by a guide within a few seconds.





Finally I was looking back at an off season day another guide and I had. It was sometime in the winter a few years ago and we were feeling some white water withdrawals. We decided to head up to the East Fork of the Lewis in Washington so "Chewy" (almost all guides have nicknames) could try to run his first waterfalls. Lets just say the results were somewhat humorous.


So there you have it. I hope that starts to satisfy some winter time white water needs. But if you really think your going to need to get into and IK and run the water this summer I would sign up soon. Dates for rafting on the Rogue River are already filling up.

Orange Torpedo rafting - One of the best adventure travel companies on earth

We are ecstatic to be honored by National Geographic Adventure Magazine as one of the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth for the second year in a row! The scores are calculated on a combination of several categories including: overall, client satisfaction, spirit of adventure, quality of service, sustainability, and education. After being called on of the top 10 family adventures of 2008 by NGA, it's a real honor to be part of the list again in 2009. Now going into our 40th year of rafting on the Rogue River this is a real honor.

The Rogue River, jet boats, rafting, camping, and a parade.

We are in the heart of winter, but spring will arrive before you know it. Now is the time to start planning things to do this summer. Start thinking about original vacations, fun road trips, events you can attend that will give you stories to awe your friends. Boatnik weekend in Grants Pass Oregon is one of those fun and unique things everyone should swing by at least one time.

This event based around the Rogue River is at a great time to be in the Grants Pass area. Boatnik, founded in 1959 is always held on Memorial day weekend and includes a great small town parade, plenty of street vendors selling fun crafts and all the local produce and art you could want. The parade event is a really fun family event with something for everyone.

The highlight of the Boatnik festival weekend in Grants Pass Oregon is the jet boat races. With multiple types of boats and races there are plenty of places to watch the excitement from on the stretch of the Rogue River where the boats run. Here is a video we found showing just some of the action.


In all boatnik weekend is a great time to get out and enjoy the spring. The weather is nice and the river is just starting to get to that perfect for swimming temperature. I love running one day rafting trips or even the 3 day Lower Rogue River white water trip this time of year. Its not so hot that you want to be in the water all of the time, but still hot enough swimming feels great. Make it a complete weekend with camping at Indian Mary park, a day at the parade and watching the jet boats before you end it with a day white water rafting on the Rogue River.

Ideal family road trip #1: The Rogue River, bears, caves, redwoods, and surfing

Southern Oregon boasts perfect weather and ideal scenery for summertime family vacations. The area surrounding Grants Pass Oregon is filled with camping, hiking, floating, state parks, museums, culture, food, winery's and almost any other type of activity that makes a great vacation with family and friends. Below is the first of what will become more great southern Oregon itineraries. We will try to give you a list of the locals favorite spots and insider views of things to do and places to stay.

This Southern Oregon Itinerary is perfect for families with younger children looking to get outside and relax. Here are some great ideas for parents with kids 4 years old and up.

1. No trip to southern Oregon is complete without a day or two on the Rogue River. The Rogue is the heart of Southern Oregon and is the highlight of all summer travel through Grants Pas. Here at Orange Torpedo Trips we have created an ideal way to take in a few days rafting on the Rogue River while also taking in two of the Grants Pass area's best attractions. On our Rogue River near Galice 2 day rafting trip spend 2 days floating on a beginner section of the river where wild waves in the many class II rapids will break over the bow and keep the group cool. The days on the river are spent swimming and laughing in the pools and screaming and yelling with excitement in the rapids. This is perfect for your kids first days on the river.
This trip also includes a night at the famous riverside Morrison's Lodge. A must stay spot on a trip to the Grants Pass area, enjoy a spectacular 4 course meal on the deck overlooking the river. Our 2 day Rogue River rafting trip also includes a tour of Wildlife Images. You and your kids can get up close views and learn about some of Southern Oregon's most exciting wildlife. The stop here is always a favorite of the kids.

2. The Oregon Caves. Next on your Southern Oregon Itinerary drive a little over an hour south to the Oregon Caves. Kids love the the 90 minute walk through one of the west coasts largest marble caves. Follow your ranger through the many corridors and into multiple stalagtite filled rooms. Learn about the history of the area and the details of the caves discovery as well as information on how this unique caves system was created. The park hosts different children's programs for kids 3 and up including a Jr. Ranger program, but due to the "moderately strenuous and technical" nature of some sections of the trail through the cave children need to be 42 inches tall to do the cave tour, but there are plenty of above ground trails offering something for everyone.

3. Jedediah Smith State Park and the Redwoods. You and your kids will be awestruck by the size of these beautiful trees. Every time I drive through it never ceases to amaze me how enormous these trees are. Trips to Jedediah Smith can include hiking through the redwoods, camping, and swimming in crystal clear Smith River. This is a great family stop on your summer road trip. A stop everyone in the family will love. Check out this video for more info.

4. Cresent City: beaches, good food, great beginner surfing. End your family road trip at the coast. Relax on the beach, fly a kite, or rent a surfboard and wetsuit to try your hand at surfing. With multiple surf shops you will definetly find the right wetsuit and board for riding the Northern California waves.



View Larger Map

The Grants Pass area hosts plenty of exciting river based jetboat and rafting trips to accompany camping or staying at beautiful lodges. Keep checking back or sign-up for our automatic blog updates to learn about more of the great things Southern Oregon has to offer.

Rafting footwear, your feet need to be loved on the river.

When you are rafting on the Rogue, Salmon, Klamath, or Umpqua rivers it's important you take care of your feet. Below is a list of the leading white water footwear that you would want to bring on a guided rafting vacation. If you click on the image it will take you to the manufacturer's website.


Chaco z/2
The Z/2 from Chaco is a favorite of our guides on the Rogue and Salmon River. Loved by river guides everywhere the unique pull-through strap system makes sure the webbing gives equal pressure all accross your foot. These are great sandals for any active ourdoor activity. If you don't like things between your toes look into the Z/1. These are a wonderful sandal for your guided rafting trip. Price: $105.

Teva Hurricane 3
The purest form of the Teva sandal, built with function in mind and no extra frills to weigh you down. This is the classic river guide sandal and is the footwear of choice for a whole generation of river runners. If you want the sandal that takes you back to your days on the Salmon or Rogue rivers check this out. Price $80



Teva Omnium
Added coverage for protection, quick-drying materials to keep you comfortable and Teva tested Spider Rubber® to keep you on your feet. A little bulky to tuck into the sides of your torpedo, but they are great for those side hikes up from the river.
Price: $75



Keen Newport H2
Order up some adventure with a side of water in the Newport H2 from KEEN. Great toe protection and nice on the trail, this is a local Oregon company we love supporting. These are a rising star on our Rogue River and Salmon River rafting trips. Price $90


NRS Scout
The Scout Water Shoe gives you the open, water shedding features of a sandal and the support and protection of a shoe. Go from your boat to that grueling side hike without missing a stride. If you like to have your foot more protected from the sun and objects on the side hikes, around camp, or at the lodge look into these water shoes. Cost: $60







NRS Attack
The NRS Attack shoe is a great inflatable kayak shoe. Guides on the Rogue and Salmon rivers all agree that if you are looking for a water shoe over a sandal, this is the one to pick for your guided rafting trip. Cost: $60





Remember, happy feet are an important part of a happy rafting trip. Always make sure you try on your sandals before you buy them. Some water shoes and sandals will feet certain feet differently and it is important to make sure the one you choose is not only the best design for what your doing, but also the best fit. See you on the river.

Welcome to the Holidays

The holiday season is upon us. Black Friday has passed, but there is plenty of shopping still being done by many of us. Stores have staffed up and are staying open late to let you buy that cool new this or that for the people in you love in your life.

So what are you going to buy this year? What are you going to get for _______ who has everything and is impossible to shop for? Are you tired of the stress filled search for that perfect gift he or she will always love and cherish? What are you going to buy your teenager? Video games? Do the gifts you buy create experiences of doing things together or things alone?

What about buying an experience for someone this year? We recommend giving the gift of a memory. Give something your loved one will cherish and remember for the rest of their life. Give something that does more then last a month until the newer or better comes out. Give a vacation, a day in the sun, a week away from a cell phone. Give your children a week of un-interrupted time with their parents doing something the whole family will love. Make this holiday different.

Call today and order your gift certificate so you can have it in time for the holiday. Give someone 3 days and 2 nights on the Rogue River in Oregon. It's a gift they will be thanking you for years down the road. 866-479-5061

Hiking on the Rogue River

The first week of October we were able to run a raft assisted backpacking trip on the wild and scenic Rogue River. We ended up running the trip on the only 4 rainy days in a 20 day period, but that seemed to just add to the fun of the trip. We had a great time on our 4 day, 44 mile, raft assisted camping trip with an awesome group from Texas. We are going to be running these trips as camping or lodge to lodge trips starting in May under our new partner company, Rogue Journeys (look for the new website in a couple of weeks). Trips are already starting to fill up, so if hiking one of the continents best trails and not having to carry all the gear sounds like a good idea give us a call and reserve your spots today, space is already starting to run short 800-635-2925.
Here are some pictures.
These are only a few of the pictures, check out more of ours at flickr
Also check out pictures from a few of the guests, see it from there eyes here or here

Monday morning, perfect time for great Rogue River news

Most everyone knows the feeling of sitting down at your computer on a Monday morning. Hit the on button and wonder and wait what e-mails sitting sit there needing to expeditious response. Granted with modern phones it's not such a mystery what e-mails are waiting, but you get the idea. This was a great Monday with an e-mail highlight! It is always fun to read feedback from trips and hear comments about how great the trip was or how, "awesome" the guides were. However, by the time November rolls around most people have already sent in their feedback and people are looking towards next season. Well today we had a surprise e-mail that proved to be blog worthy. The title of the e-mail was G'day

"Hi,

It’s Troy and Michelle from Australia ! We came to you on a sunny day in September and we had a fantastic and memorable time, especially with our well trained and anything-but-lazy guide, Aaron. Please see attached photos we thought you might like to keep for yourself. Aaron, we tried to include photos of you working as well as the ones where you were relaxing so you wouldn’t get a hard time from the Boss.

We loved Aaron’s enthusiasm and love of life and all things natural. It was a real pleasure for us to spend the time we had in a beautiful part of Southern Oregon with a down-to-earth and relaxed guide as Aaron.

Having crapped on enough about how great Aaron was, we’d like to say a thank you to the rest of the staff for their warm welcome (even at the crack of dawn on a cold morning), positive attitudes and great advice. We’ll never forget the great experience we’ve had on the Mighty Rogue River and we have you guys to thank for that, so thank you.


Kind regards

Troy Lea & Michelle"

While all of the photos seemed to be Aaron relaxing, we will let it slide and assume he worked at some point during the day. Here is the trip they are talking about
Thanks to everyone this year who sent in great feedback, we always love hearing how trips went.

The best books for the Rogue River.

Anywhere as beautiful and awe inspiring as the Rogue River is bound to have a fascinating history, and the Rogue is no exception. Home to gun battles, feuds between miners, famous authors, and plenty of eccentric river runners; the Rogue River canyon hosts stories of lore so grand that only some have been accurately captured in writing. A few good books exist that talk about Rogue River history and a few exist that combine the history with directions on how to make it down the river. Here are some of the best Rogue River books, perfect for anyone thinking of going down the canyon.

1.
The Rogue River Guidebook: A comprehensive guide from Prospect to Gold Beach, by Matt Leidecker

This is the book that someone FINALLY made. A detailed guidebook to rafting the Rogue River. We recommend everyone on our guided trips take this book with them. This book combines knowledge of where you're going with an understanding of the areas basic history and geography. Being able to easily find information about where you and where you're going is valuable on the river.

2. Illahe, by Kay Atwood

"Illahe tells the captivating story of the miners, packers, farmers, and families who settled southern Oregon's rugged Rogue River Canyon in the 1860s."

If you're a history buff this book is for you. Kay Atwood does a remarkable job of re-telling first had accounts from the early days in the canyon. She utilizes journals, diaries and interviews with decedents from those who originally journeyed into the unknown isolation that was the Rogue River Canyon. Feel the stories and emotions of floods, harsh winters and constant isolation as these people chose to make their home in this beautiful river wilderness. This is a great read right before coming on a rafting trip down the Rogue River canyon.

3. The Rogue, a River to Run, by Florence Arman with Glen Woolridge
Here is a spectacular book about THE Rogue River legend. Glen Woolridge started running the Rogue River in 1915 and was still running it into the 1980's. He was the first person to travel up the Rogue River from Gold Beach Oregon to Grants Pass Oregon in 1947. The next year he became the first person to travel up the Salmon River "river of no return" in Idaho from Riggins to Salmon. This book is a piece of history about a man who made history on the Rogue River.
If you want to understand the sense of adventure that surrounds the Rogue River this is your book.





4.Rogue River Feud, by Zane Grey
One of Zane Grey's lesser known books, The Rogue River Feud masterfully and beautifully describes the scenery and tranquility of the Rogue River. This is a great novel to bring with you into the canyon. On floats down the Rogue River you get stop by Zane Grey's cabin on the river and get a better understanding of exactly where he was while working through the novel. A great book for any rafting or hiking journey in the Rogue River canyon.

The Rafting News Starts Here

Welcome to the River Torpedo, the home of the Orange Torpedo Trips blog. From here on this will be your location to stay up do date on everything happening on the Rogue River, Klamath River, Umpqua River, and the Salmon River. We will make sure to post information about what is happening here at Orange Torpedo Trips including some funny stories, great videos, and generally posting the things we find valuable or hysterical.
We look forward to having you join us on this journey as we all get ready for the next summer on the river.